Photo: ATS
Since its rebirth, Italian automaker Automobili Turismo e Sport (also known as ATS) has brought us exciting modern cars like the track-ready ATS Sport and the sporty-looking ATS 2500, which are both throwbacks to this brand’s roots. While the Sport and 2500 GT are reimagined versions of the original cars, the new ATS Leggera takes a different approach with its styling.
With the origins of ATS dating back to the early 1960s, the Leggera has a look that evokes small, classic Italian roadsters, and while it definitely has elements of the 250 GTO, there are also some Miata and Shelby Cobra cues mixed in as well. That's not a bad mixology of design if you ask us. The interior has an equally retro theme with the central gauges, wooded steering wheel and hand-crafted leather seats and trim.
Leggera, of course, is Italian for lightweight, and this car definitely fits that billing. According to the press release, the ATS Leggera is offered in three flavors – depending on the level of tune you want – with curb weights varying from 1,400 pounds on the 300 Leggera to 1,433 pounds on the 365 Leggera and 420 Super Leggera SS.
Unlike the other rear-engine ATS models, the Leggera has three available options for the front/mid-mounted engine, and owners get their choice of a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual or a six-speed sequential gearbox.
The 300 Leggera is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 240 bhp helping the 1,400-pound roadster accelerate from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds along with a top speed of 135 mph. The 365 Leggera uses the same engine with an increased output of 240 bhp, which helps propel this 1,433-pound model to 60 mph in just four seconds with a top speed of 145.
The top performance model is the 420 Super Leggera SS with a Honda-sourced 2.2-liter engine with an output of 280 bhp, a top speed of 160 mph and acceleration from 0-60 in just 3.6 seconds. We’re sure none of the ATS cars are produced in high volume, but the 420 Super Leggera SS will be as rare as it is sporty with just five examples being built.
Founded in the early 1960s by breakaway members of the Ferrari Formula 1 team, ATS was eventually brought back to life in 2013.
Leggera, of course, is Italian for lightweight, and this car definitely fits that billing. According to the press release, the ATS Leggera is offered in three flavors – depending on the level of tune you want – with curb weights varying from 1,400 pounds on the 300 Leggera to 1,433 pounds on the 365 Leggera and 420 Super Leggera SS.
Unlike the other rear-engine ATS models, the Leggera has three available options for the front/mid-mounted engine, and owners get their choice of a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual or a six-speed sequential gearbox.
The 300 Leggera is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 240 bhp helping the 1,400-pound roadster accelerate from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds along with a top speed of 135 mph. The 365 Leggera uses the same engine with an increased output of 240 bhp, which helps propel this 1,433-pound model to 60 mph in just four seconds with a top speed of 145.
The top performance model is the 420 Super Leggera SS with a Honda-sourced 2.2-liter engine with an output of 280 bhp, a top speed of 160 mph and acceleration from 0-60 in just 3.6 seconds. We’re sure none of the ATS cars are produced in high volume, but the 420 Super Leggera SS will be as rare as it is sporty with just five examples being built.
Founded in the early 1960s by breakaway members of the Ferrari Formula 1 team, ATS was eventually brought back to life in 2013.
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